Step 6: Glue the button

Step 7: Make more!

You can never have too many pattern weights. Especially when they're this pretty.

Pattern weights are used while cutting the fabric for a garment or craft sewing project. The pattern weights hold the pattern down to the fabric,allowing you to cut without having the pattern shift. And they're faster than using pins.

Pattern weights can be bought from sewing and craft stores, but usually cost $10 for 4 weights, e.g. this set on Amazon. Like many crafters I use heavy, metal washers as weights because they only cost $.25 - .5 each. Naturally I wanted to decorate my weights, and here's how you can too.

Step 1: Supplies

Something to mark a circle with. This should be twice the width of your washer

Fabric scraps at least double the width of your washers in both directions

1 large 'shank' button for each weight

a needle

thread

fabric cutter or scissors

thread snips or scissors

Hot glue gun, or just regular craft glue if you're more patient than me

Step 2: Draw a circle on the fabric

Use a pencil, fabric marking pen, or chalk to trace around the edge of your 'circle sizing device'.

If you are using a single washer for the weight, cut the fabric along the marked line. If you are using two washers, cut slightly outside the line, about 1/8".

Step 3: Sew a gathering stitch around the circle

You can mark the stitching line 1/8" inside the edge of the circle, or just estimate the distance from the edge. This project is fairly forgiving to mistakes.

Thread a needle with an 18" piece of thread. Tie a knot in the long end.

Inserting the needle first from the 'right' side of the fabric, sewing a running stitch just inside the edge of the fabric. The size of the running stitch will depend on the fabric, smaller stitches for lightweight cottons, larger stitches for heavy fabrics like denim or fake fur.

This is great! Im doing applied apparel technology and our school finally got us some "weights" (off cuts from the steel from the construction section) these are great... but this would have been so handy to know instead of waiting for school supplies.Thanks so much for this ible.. Im going underthe house to see if I can find any large washers =D